St. Stephen

That sucks Bren, hope your 2024 is better. Hang in there! House and two kids for me too, but fortunately not that wife part. Early days we moved for my job and my ratty GS400 got stolen at work, couldn't afford a replacement. After my only four adult years w/o a bike we went out to eat, told her I just had to get another bike (VF of course). She was fine with it. 😊 BTW, she was six months pregnant.

(Disclaimer: you won't learn anything about VFR's in this post. I don't even provide an opinion on motor oil) I was shocked! I knew that 2023 was my worst mileage year in a decade or two. But I had a bunch of reasons: About 10 months ago the surgeons at UCSF repaired the mitral valve in my heart. Surgery and recovery rehab pretty much eliminated riding for the spring. A simmering, ongoing consulting gig of maybe 10 billable hours/month suddenly and unintentionally took over my life starting in July. Ironically--because of my own personnel recommendations--I became the acting head of operations for a regional movie theatre chain. Fortunately I was able to find my permanent replacement in November. And...my wife and I now have a grandson, currently 22 months, and we have pretty much been commuting to our son and DIL's place in San Diego. 😊 Where was I? Oh yeah, I was shocked. Yesterday I took a look at the odometer on the Ducati. I then compared it to last year, and...400 was the difference. 400 effing miles in 2023!! That's pathetic. Even if I generously add in another 400 on the RC-51 that's less than 1000 miles in a year. Wow. So I checked my photos on this laptop, and it was another shock. For the first year in the history of digital photography I had not taken a single bike picture! This was the most recent pic I could find, probably my final ride of 2022, December 23rd: As JZH said in his recent build thread, I really just had a lot of excuses. Unlike Darryl I was physically and legally able to ride by May. If something is important to you, you don't just drop that activity to do other things no matter how important they may also be. I live in one of the great motorcycle riding regions in North America--we can ride pretty much year-round, the roads are fantastic and plentiful, and there's an abundance of natural beauty only a day or two's ride away. And I own two bikes--2017 Multistrada Tour S, 2003 RC-51--that I love, are incredibly reliable, and are really tons of fun to ride. So. Time to get off my ass and behind the bars. Trip planning time! Up to Oregon. A trip through the Sierra, into AZ, the four corners and the Rockies? My favorite Eureka/Yreka/Fortuna loop (aka 299-96-3-36)? San Diego of course. And just hitting the PCH/128/253 etc. when the right day opens up. Anyway, if you're still reading this diatribe you probably understand the self-induced frustration. No excuses in 2024: More to follow...

Good luck JZH! I look forward to seeing you on the finished bike after a long and exhilarating ride.

The AGV "exceeds the ECE standard by a large margin" according to the AGV website, as well as U.S. DOT. This is definitely one of the reasons it was on my list. And it may not mean much to say you protect the heads of Rossi, Miller, Mir etc. but it means something. Lab tests only roughly replicate actual crashes. There's not a lot of public funding for motorcycle safety, at least not here in North America, but I have read that manufacturers are now testing side impact and glancing blows in addition to simple direct impact. So ECE, Snell, DOT is what we've got to go by. A manufacturer that's been around for a while and has a rep for quality is an important factor also--I continue to believe that Arai is the gold standard here. You may get a safe helmet that's cheap, but as Dutchy and Captain mentioned, fit and comfort are safety factors too. And I won't lie, I care how it looks! This hasn't turn into an oil thread but it was drifting in that direction. Since this is VFRD at least no one chimed in with "you're safer without a helmet." 😎

For many years a series of Arai Signets have been my every day helmet. But as the price has approached $1000 (yikes!) I've looked around for something with just as much protection for less money. I ended up buying an AGV K6S in August for $630 plus tax. Not cheap, but definitely less! Plus: - Significantly better field of vision, both top/bottom (85 degrees) and left/right (190 degrees). I noticed this immediately, a big difference. - A lot lighter! I weighed my size large at exactly three pounds. - It has a much simpler, faster, easier face shield removal mechanism. If you've ever replaced an Arai face shield you will appreciate how much better this one is. Minus: - I always wear glasses while riding. So far the fit is tight enough that it takes a little work to get the arms of the glasses through the foam interior to my ears. Hopefully this will loosen up with use. - Not really minus but the AGVs seem to run a bit small. My fat head fit in a medium Arai but my AGV is a large, and fits very well. So far I'm very happy with the K6S and I recommend it. Side note: for years I've avoided the Cycle Gear stores--my impression was that they just sold low-end house brands with not much selection. If I was going to buy at a bricks-and-mortar I'd spend at my dealer. But I wanted to try the helmet on first, so I visited the CG store in Santa Rosa, and was pleasantly surprised. Lance the manager was an ex-club racer, passionate about bikes, and knowledgeable. And they carried real brands like Alpinestars, Sidi, Michelin, Arai, etc. Who knew?

I'm guessing he means the top case? So, a cover for the structure that attaches and supports the top case? Like a cowl over the passenger seat on 6th/5th etc.?

Hey Darryl, if you need help with grunt work moving Lance's things or just clearing stuff out let me know. I'm going back and forth often between here in the north bay and north county San Diego where we have family, so would be happy to stop and help. I think you have my contact info. Rough year for you, hang in there.

Damn. RC1237V just texted me with the news. Sucks. A great guy. I only rode with him a few times, but some random memories: Breakfast in Kernville, maybe 2016, ready for Brian, TC, and Duc2V4 to lead us north through the Sierra. Lance arrives...in a 'Stitch! I'm not alone! Random stop somewhere before arriving Shaver Lake. "You guys sure get going fast, I didn't get my gloves on in time!" Smart, great rider, lover of 5th gens. I didn't know him well, but I'm really happy that I knew him.

My confidence in Captain 80's limitless expertise has been shaken to the core. Everyone knows the courtesy phone is white. 😉

Keep those updates coming Smitty, you're getting close. Lots of fun following your progress, and admiring all the stuff I am not skilled enough to accomplish myself.

Welcome back to your 8th gen Grum! Great to hear you are riding again, and with purpose(wine)! Stay healthy and ride more.

Welcome to the forum Trevor. I bought a red 2010 VFR1200F as soon as it became available. Owned it for seven years, what a great bike. Never regretted my decision. I sold it to buy a Multistrada just to get modern electronics that the VFR didn't have, don't regret that decision either! VFR1200 PROS: Best brakes I have ever experienced on a bike I have owned, better than the Brembos on my Ducati. What a fantastic motor, just endless pulling power and a sweet sound. For me pretty much a perfect sport touring bike, just eats up the miles. CONS: Kinda heavy, pushing 600lbs. Power is restricted a bit in the first two gears by Honda but there's an easy fix. Removing the plastic and putting it back on is something I am very happy to never have to do again. Love all those Suzuki's! My first bike riding legally on the street was a Suzuki, and I rode a kinda beat up GS400 in my college days. And I have always been a Kevin Schwantz fan. Let us know when you find it. My 2010 VFR:

Great photos Seb, and of course what a beautiful (red) bike. Knuckledragger is usually used as an insult but not in your case! In my east coast days my best trips were Skyline-->BRP-->Dragon--Cherohala, plus the many offshoots from the BRP. We always did the dragon a few times but Cherohala was my favorite, scenic, long and very empty. Of course I can't say I was getting a knee down every corner, the wildlife kept me alert. Sorry about the shock but you seemed to be coping somehow. 😄 Offshoot (Goshen Pass):

Wow guys, two great looking bikes. No Hawk, but I've got a Honda v-twin! Always loved the pure simplicity of the Hawk, great sound also--yes, like the SV. Endlessly modifiable! By coincidence, about 90 minutes ago I was leaving my RC at my local independent shop and spotted a very nice Ascot sitting there, immediately thought of the Hawk and what a great 3rd bike it would be...

Cheers Darryl! Can't wait for that pic of you (legally) riding for the first time. Which one first?

So...what happened? A few days of "Safari can't find this page" then VFRD life as normal. thtanner, have you stepped into the gap?

Have fun Dutchy! I think Rt. 120 into Yosemite is still closed, you may have to take 140 aka El Portal into the park, a bit further south. Lots of water this year from the record snowpack, and some minor Merced River flooding, but spectacular waterfalls. You're going to have a good time, enjoy.

Thank you Miguel. Never met but you have helped me many times. Fixing a block that was because I went on your site through SW Airlines for example. You probably spent a half hour helping me solve the issue. Amazing. When I moved to CA nine years ago it was through VFRD that I rode with BrianF, JeffyJeff, RC1237V and the gang of NorCal hooligans. I perfectly understand your decision, shame you had buy that little KTM GT scooter. 😁 Best wishes. And thanks for making the connection for times like this:

Thanks for the update Darryl, keep 'em coming, I want a pic of your first ride. Hang in there you're quickly getting back to normal.

Don't listen to these guys, this is all you need: 😉 Seriously, that's just my level of electrical knowledge! We have so many experts on this forum, myself obviously not being one of them. I only bought a voltmeter a few years ago because that's how Grum started every problem solving post.

"Lose some BS..." I must figure out the same plumbing on my RC-51: remove all the CA EVAP stuff. Checking VFRD sucks because it reminds me how minuscule my garage skills are despite decades of VF/VFR ownership.

Oopsie indeed. Did he u-turn and discuss your acceleration performance? Had a similar fly-by in the Adirondacks a number of years ago, same blue with orange stripe, but he kept going. Keep posting those beautiful bikes!

Glad to hear Darryl is progressing as hoped. Yes, my 7th gen was parked outside when you walked into the breakfast place in Kernville, ~2016. Why do I remember? Finally, another rider would be wearing an Aerostich! Apologies for hijacking...

Please give my best to Darryl. I have enjoyed riding the Sierra with him a few times--well, watching his taillights disappear into the distance anyway--and he is a classy and incredibly knowledgeable guy. Thanks for the updates Lance, much appreciated.